Full Episode
Friday, Oct 24
PBS NewsHour
  • Episodes
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletters
  • The Latest
  • Politics
    Politics
    • Brooks and Capehart
    • Politics Monday
    • Supreme Court
  • Arts
    Arts
    • CANVAS
    • Poetry
    • Now Read This
  • Nation
    Nation
    • Supreme Court
    • Race Matters
    • Essays
    • Brief But Spectacular
  • World
    World
    • Agents for Change
  • Economy
    Economy
    • Making Sen$e
    • Paul Solman
  • Science
    Science
    • The Leading Edge
    • ScienceScope
    • Basic Research
    • Innovation and Invention
  • Health
    Health
    • Long-Term Care
  • Education
    Education
    • Teachers' Lounge
    • Student Reporting Labs
  • For Teachers
    Education
    • Newshour Classroom
  • About
    • Feedback
    • Funders
    • Support
    • Jobs

Celebrate 50 years of PBS News Hour with a monthly gift of $50

All gifts doubled during our $50,000 anniversary match thanks to a generous Friend of the News Hour.
Give monthly
PBS News

Get news alerts from PBS News

Turn on desktop notifications?

book bans

  • Full Episodes
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletters
  • Live
FILE PHOTO: U.S. news outlets reject Pentagon press access policy

Nation Oct 23

Pentagon’s attempt to ban books from base schools faces backlash from military families

By Nick Schifrin, Dan Sagalyn, Morgan Till

Nation Oct 05

thelibrarians
Watch 6:41
The fight against book bans by public school librarians shown in new documentary

According to a new report from PEN America, public schools across the U.S. saw more than 6,800 book bans in the 2024-25 school year. A new documentary, “The Librarians,” examines the experiences of school librarians who’ve found themselves on the…

By John Yang, Satvi Sunkara, Laine Immell

Nation Oct 01

Author and honoree Stephen King at the PEN America Literary Gala in New York
Stephen King is the most banned author in U.S. schools, PEN report says

PEN America's "Banned in the USA," released Wednesday, tracks over 6,800 instances of books being pulled for the 2024-2025 school year.

By Hillel Italie, Associated Press

Education Aug 10

restricting
Watch 9:02
Book restrictions in Indiana pressure public schools and libraries to remove books

Over the last few years, parents and a network of organized conservative groups have put pressure on public schools and community libraries across the country to remove certain books from their collections. In Indiana, teachers may even be charged with…

Politics Jul 07

A Little Free Library contains banned books in Houston
U.S. appeals court will review its prior order in a Texas county’s library book ban case

Llano County officials have argued that they have broad authority to decide which books belong on library shelves, while library patrons who sued the county said removing the books — which deal with subjects including sex, gender identity and racism…

By Kevin McGill, Associated Press

Apr 11

Library book ban attempts are at an all-time high. These librarians are fighting back

By Casey Kuhn

More than 4,000 library book bans were attempted in public and school libraries in 2023, according to the American Library Association. Six librarians share how they've responded in their communities.

Continue reading

Jan 02

Laws banning semi-automatic weapons and library censorship to take effect in Illinois

By John O'Connor, Associated Press

Illinois will usher in 320 new laws on New Year's Day.

Continue reading

Dec 30

Watch 5:58
What to know about Iowa’s ban on school books, LGBTQ+ topics halted by a judge

By Lisa Desjardins, Kaisha Young, Andrew Corkery

A federal judge in Iowa has temporarily blocked key parts of a state law that would ban books from school libraries if they depicted a “sex act.” The law also bars teachers from discussing gender identity and sexuality before seventh…

Continue watching

Dec 29

Judge blocks most of an Iowa law banning some school library books and discussion of LGBTQ+ issues

By Associated Press

The judge said the ban on books is "incredibly broad" and has resulted in the removal of history volumes, classics, award-winning novels and "even books designed to help students avoid being victimized by sexual assault."…

Continue reading

Nov 29

LGBTQ+ rights group sues over Iowa law banning school library books, gender identity discussion

By Margery A. Beck, Associated Press

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed the federal lawsuit Tuesday on behalf of seven Iowa students and their families. LGBTQ+ advocacy group Iowa Safe Schools is also a plaintiff.

Continue reading

Jump to the First Page Previous Page
1 2 3 4
Next Page Jump to the Last Page

Support Provided By: Learn more

web ad

Educate your inbox

Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else.

Form error message goes here.

Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm.

Full Episode
Friday, Oct 24
  • BDO
  • BNSF Railway
  • Consumer Cellular
  • Raymond James
  • Viewers Like You
  • Friends of the News Hour
PBS News

© 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved.

PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

Sections

  • The Latest
  • Politics
  • Arts
  • Nation
  • World
  • Economy
  • Science
  • Health
  • Education

About

  • About Us
  • TV Schedule
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Funders
  • Support
  • Newsletters
  • Podcasts
  • Jobs
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • X
  • TikTok
  • Threads
  • RSS

Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins

Form error message goes here.

Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm.

Support our journalism

Support for News Hour Provided By

  • BDO
  • BNSF Railway
  • Consumer Cellular
  • Raymond James
  • Viewers Like You